Planer

ABSTRACT

A planing machine in which the workpiece supporting table is provided with an uninterrupted low friction, abrasion resistant surface over which a workpiece is smoothly advanced through the region of the cutters. The drive system for the machine includes a single motor from which the cutter head is directly driven and the infeed and outfeed rollers are driven through an intermediate variable speed drive assembly enabling an operator to vary the speed at which a workpiece is fed through the cutting regions. The motor and drive components are housed within closure panels which are retained on the machine frame by fastener assemblies that permit the panels to be quickly and easily removed from the frame. A cutter guard and chip breaker assembly is pivotally supported at the outfeed end of the machine to enable an operator to gain ready access to the cutter head and feed rollers if necessary. An eccentrically mounted limit bar at the infeed end of the machine provides an adjustable maximum depth of cut limiting means for conditioning the planer to operate within the power limitations of the selected motor by properly adjusting the setting of the limit bar.

United States Patent 1 Berends 1 Feb. 27, 1973 PLANER [75] Inventor:Emerson R. Berends, Tupelo, Miss.

[73] Assignee: Rockwell Manufacturing Company,

Pittsburgh, Pa.

[22] Filed: Jan. 22, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 4,815

Primary ExaminerDonald R. Schran Attorney-Strauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies &Kurz [57] ABSTRACT A planing machine in which the workpiecesupportingtable is provided with an uninterrupted low friction, abrasionresistant surface over which a workpiece is smoothly advanced throughthe region of the cutters. The drive system for the machine includes asingle motor from which the cutter head is directly driven and theinfeed and outfeed rollers are driven through an intermediate variablespeed drive assembly enabling an operator to vary the speed at which aworkpiece is fed through the cutting regions. The motor and drivecomponents are housed within closure panels which are retained on themachine frame by fastener assemblies that permit the panels to bequickly and easily removed from the frame. A cutter guard and chipbreaker assembly is pivotally supported at the outfeed end of themachine to enable an operator to gain ready access to the cutter headand feed rollers if necessary. An eccentrically mounted limit bar at theinfeed end of the machine provides an adjustable maximum depth of cutlimiting means for conditioning the planer to operate within the powerlimitations of the selected motor by properly adjusting the setting ofthe limit bar.

25 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB271975 3,718,168

SHEET 10F 4 f1 .4 INVENTOR 44 F EMERSON R. BERENDS 4 52 H' 5 Ez .5 LMMMM;

ATTORNE 5 PATENTEDFEBZYIQYS 3 718,168

SHEET 2 BF 4 I00 98 l I INVENTOR EMERSON R. BERENDS ATTOR PATENTED ZY973 SHEET 4 OF 4 INVENTOR EMERSON R BERENDS iz/M 72mm 20% m #4? ATTORNPLANER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally towoodworking apparatus and more particularly to an improved wood planingmachine which provides a ripple free, planar planed surface, reducesmanufacturing costs, eliminates heretofore required critical set-upadjustments and is more versatile in operation than prior conventionalmachines and due to its adjustable depth of cut limit bar is able toaccommodate motors of varying power capabilities without a change oflimit bars.

Known wood planing machines generally include a cutter and power driveninfeed and outfeed rollers mounted above a work supporting table fittedwith idling support rollers to permit powered advancement of theworkpiece across the table through the region of the cutter. Theseidling bed rollers have been a source of problems since they must beaccurately set within extremely close tolerances, for example a fewthousandths of an inch, to extend above the surface of the table andeven when accurately set, the workpiece undulates in its feed movementcausing the cutter to remove more or less stock at its opposite ends asthe workpiece in its feed movement engages only the infeed table idlerroller in approaching the cutter and the outfeed table idler roller asit leaves the cutter.

Conventional planers also lack versatility and adaptability for usagewith different types of lumber from which various depths of cut may betaken due to their employment of separate motors for driving the cuttersand the feed roller.

The speed of operation at which the infeed and outfeed rollers may bedriven is normally limited and the construction of the prior machinesgenerally imposes limitations on the size of the drive motor which maybe used and the depth of cut which may be taken.

Another continuing problem with existing planing machines has been theirinability to remove chips from the cutting region and discharge themaway from the operator who is normally stationed at the infeed end ofthe machine. Chip breakers in existing commercial planing machinesgenerally are rigidly fastened to the frame of the machine in enclosingrelation to the cutter head and feed rollers, and have to be completelyphysically removed from the frame in order to gain access to the cuttersand the feed rollers for purposes of adjustment, sharpening, cleaning,etc.

Similarly, the drive motors and gear assemblies for the feed rollers andcutter head ordinarily have been housed within cover panels which arescrew fastened to the machine frame, and thus, do not provide ready andeasy access to the components when necessary. Con sequently, inspectionand/or repair of machine components has ordinarily been a time consumingand costly operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a primary object of this inventionresides in the provision of a novel improved wood planing machine whichovercomes the above-identified problems associated with conventionalmachines while producing a smooth, ripple free and planarplaned surfaceon a finished workpiece.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel woodplaning machine which reduces manufacturing and repair costs andeliminates critical set-up adjustments normally associated with theidling table rollers in prior known machines.

Another object resides in the provision of a novel wood planing machinein which the table is provided with a tough, high slip, workpiecesupport surface having a low coefficient of friction enabling the woodworkpiece to advance levelly thereover, thereby eliminating the need forthe table rollers normally provided in conventional planing machines.Consequently, the problems associated with the critical adjustment ofthe table rollers and the snipe normally formed on the planed woodsurface are eliminated to provide a smoother, more uniform finishedworkpiece.

Still another object resides in the provision of a novel wood planingmachine including a variable speed drive mechanism for driving the feedrollers and thereby adjusting the rate at which a workpiece is fedthrough the cutter region to an optimum value depending upon the type ofwood being worked on and the depth of cut to be taken from theworkpiece.

A further object resides in the provision of a novel wood planingmachine which includes a novel flip-over chip breaker and cutter guardassembly pivoted at the outfeed end of the machine, the chip breaker ina normal operating position effectively deflecting the chips from thecutting region to the rear of the machine and in a raised inoperativeposition providing ready access to the cutters and infeed and outfeedrollers for any necessary adjustment, cleaning and/or replacement ofsuch.

Another object resides in the provision of a novel wood planing machineincluding a variable speed drive system for the feed rollers and arotatable eccentrically mounted depth of cut limit bar at the infeed endof the machine, the variable speed drive system providing an optimumfeed speed for a particular type of lumber being cut and the desireddepth of cut, and the limit bar acting as a gauge to restrict themaximum depth of cut which may be taken. The variable speed drive mayinclude a motor of a selected size and the eccentric limit bar may beadjusted to provide a maximum depth of cut corresponding to the size ofthe motor being em-'. ployed.

Still another object resides in the provision of a novel wood planingmachine in which the cover panels housing the various drive componentsare readily removable for quick and easy access to the drive components,thus reducing the amount of downtime required to service and/or changeover the machine.

These and other objects of the invention will become more fully apparentby reference to the appended claims and the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like numerals designate like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, generallyperspective view of the improved wood planing machine embodying theprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary section plan view taken generally along line 2-2of FIG. 1 and illustrating a keyhole and fastener bolt assembly by whichthe cover panels of the motor housing and gear housing are readilyremovably mounted on the planing machine frame;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the keyhole and fastenerbolt assembly taken generally along line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the keyhole slot in the end flange ofthe housing panels, the slot forming part of the assembly illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3',

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevation view illustrating the tableweight adjustment mechanism and the depth of cut limit bar;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevation section view illustrating the upperportion of the machine, and particularly the pivoted cutter guard andchip breaker assembly in its lowered operative position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmented plan view of the upper portion of the planingmachine with the cutter guard and chip breaker assembly and pressurefoot removed to expose the cutter head, feed rollers, depth of cut limitbar, and rear tie bar;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation view illustrating particularlythe intermediate variable speed drive mechanism by which the infeed andoutfeed rollers are driven; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view taken generally along line 99 of FIG.8 and illustrating the variable speed feed drive mechanism with thereduction gear housing broken away to expose the respective drivecomponents and the manner in which they are mounted on the upstandingside column of the machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1,the planer includes a base cabinet 10 having an upper horizontal baseplate 12 on which a pair of upstanding side columns 14 and 16 ismounted. A cutter guard and chip breaker assembly 18 is pivotallyconnected to the upper rear end of columns 14 and 16, and, when in itslowered operative position of FIG. 1, serves also to house a powerdriven cutter head 20 and power driven parallel infeed and outfeedrollers 22 and 24, (see FIG. 6), the cutter head and feed rollersextending between and being mounted for rotation in columns 14 and 16. Awork support table 26 is mounted between columns 14 and 16 below thecutter head and feed rollers for vertical up and down movement, therebyenabling the machine to accomodate pieces of lumber of variousthicknesses.

The enclosed base cabinet 10 includes a plurality of weldedly connectedframe members 28 on which base plate 12 is supported and a pair of sidepanels 30, a rear panel (not shown) and front panel 32 which is readilyremovable from frame members 28 to provide quick access to the drivemotor 29 fixedly supported within cabinet housing 10.

A pair of enclosing side panels 34 and 36 are also mounted on base plate12 and removably connected to the side columns 14 and 16 to permit quickaccess to the bearing support structure for the cutter head and feedrollers and also the variable speed feed drive mechanism 38 pivotallymounted on side column 14 and described in detail below. Panel 34 has aslot 35 through which a manual adjusting handle 162 of drive assembly 38extends.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 4, the front panel 32 is a sheet metal stampinghaving U-shaped ends 40 providing an inner vertically extending flange42 at each end, with a pair of vertically spaced keyhole slots 43provided in each flange. Each slot has a small upper portion 44 andenlarged lower portion 45. Two vertically spaced spring biased boltassemblies 46 are mounted on each of the of the vertical side framemembers 28 to cooperate with the panel slots 43 in retaining panelmember 32 in place. Each bolt assembly 46 includes a bolt 48 whose shankthreads into blind bore in frame member 28, a forwardly tapered retainernut element 50 slidably mounted on the shank of bolt 48 and a spring 52positioned between the bolt head and the retainer 50 and biasing theretainer toward frame member 28. The lower enlarged portion 45 of panelslot 43 is large enough to pass over the bolt head and retainer 50 andthe upper reduced portion 43 of the slot is somewhat larger than thediameter of the shank of bolt 48 but smaller in size than retainer 50.When panel 32 is mounted in place, the bolt shank will be receivedwithin slot portion 43 and retainer 50 will engage flange 42 and thusretain the panel against frame member 28 as shown in FIG. 3. When it isdesired to remove the panel to expose motor 29 housed therein, it isnecessary only to initially vertically lift panel 32, sliding flanges 42upwardly along frame members 28 so that slot portion 45 aligns withretainer 50, and then simply move the panel outwardly over retainer 50and the head of bolt 48 of each assembly 46. It is to be understood ofcourse that any number of bolt assemblies may be used to retain panel 32in place.

Side panels 34 and 36 are sheet metal stampings formed similarly tocover panel 32 to have U-shaped end flanges 42 by which the panels areretained respectively on posts 14 and 16 by similar bolt assemblies 46.Hence, it is readily apparent that an operator may quickly and easilyremove panels 32, 34 and 36 to provide ready access to the machinecomponents normally housed therein.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, table 26 has a pair of front and rear ears 54on each lateral side thereof for engaging front and rear vertical planarguide surfaces on posts 14 and 16 and thereby guide table 26 as it movesvertically up and down relative to base plate 12. The table also has apair pf laterally spaced pillow blocks 56 downwardly dependingtherefrom, with a horizontal plate 58 interconnecting the bottoms ofblocks 56.

The adjustment mechanism for raising and lowering table 26 relative tobase 12 includes crank shaft 60 journalled at 62 and 64 in pillow blocks56 and having its outer end projecting outwardly through a vertical slot65 in column 16 and panel 36 with a crank arm 66 mounted thereonexternally of side panel 36. Fixed on crank shaft 60 are a pair oflaterally spaced helical gear pinions 68 and 70 which rotate a pair ofmating helical gears 71 and 72 that are fixed to the upper endsofvertical, perpendicularly arranged table raising screws '74 and 76.Screws 74 and 76 are respectively journalled in bearing supports 78 and80 mounted in transverse plate 58, the screws threadedly extendingthrough adjusting nuts 82 and 84 and passing downwardly through suitableopenings in base plate 12. Nuts 82 and 84 are normally clamped in afixed position on base plate 12 by clamp assemblies 86, each of whichincludes an L- shaped clamp the vertical leg 87 of which is fixed toplate 12 and the projecting end of the horizontal leg 88 is clamped intolocking engagement with an adjusting nut 82 or 84 by a bolt 89 whichpasses through leg 88 and threads into base plate 12. Each of theadjusting nuts has a lateral opening 90 for the purpose of rotating thenuts and making very fine table height adjustments when the respectiveclamp assembly is sufficiently loosened, thus enabling an operator toobtain an accurately horizontally leveled table with respect to thecutter head and feed roller components.

Thus, as crank 66 and shaft 60 are rotated, screws 74 and 76 will berotated within nuts 82 and 84 to either raise or lower table 26 asdesired by an operator to make table height adjustments to accommodateworkpieces of different thicknesses. An indicator 92 cooperates with ascale 94 mounted on column 16 to enable the operator to quickly adjustthe table below the cutter head to any desired distance depending on thethickness of work involved.

The upper surface of table 26 is coated with a low friction, abrasionresistant material 96 to provide a smooth planar surface over which thewoodpiece being cut may readily slide. Coating material 96 may be anysuitable material which fulfills the following requirements:

1. The material must have a low coefficient of friction with respect towood to provide an extremely high slip surface.

2. The material must provide a homogeneous surface at a minimumthickness of 0.030 inches.

3. The material must be of the same thickness throughout within 0.003inches.

4. The material must be slick enough to perform satisfactorily on aproperly adjusted planing machine without exhibiting any stick-slipproperties.

5. The material must be abrasion resistant and capable of withstandingabusive usage caused by heavy rough lumber sliding thereover through thecutting area of the planing machine.

6. The material must be unaffected by most corrosive environments and becapable of withstanding outside weather conditions including dampnessand 100 high and -30 low temperatures without warping or breaking theinternal material bond.

7. The material must be non-galling with wood products.

8. The material must be readily cut, sawed, drilled die-cut or punchedfor ready application on table 26.

Examples of suitable materials which may be employed as coating 96 areplastic products known as Polyolefin and Teflon S. In general, thematerial employed should possess the desired properties of toughness andlubricity.

The coating 96 may be applied in any suitable fashion e.g., simply byfastening or adhesively bonding a sheet of material on table 26.

As indicated above, the use of this low friction coating 96 on the uppersurface of table 26 eliminates the need for the heretofore conventionalidling bed rollers, which ordinarily had to be accurately set withinthousandths of an inch above the table for efficient planer operation.As a result, the finished woodpiece possesses a smoother planed surfacehaving no snipes or tapers normally caused by the presence of theconventional bed rollers, and overall manufacturing and operating costsare accordingly reduced due to the elimination of the bed rollers andthe necessary critical adjustments normally associated therewith.

Table 26 also has a pair of guide bars 97 extending along its length atits lateral edges to guide longitudinal movement of a woodpiece throughthe machine.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a cutter head 20 having a plurality ofcutters 21, serrated infeed roller 22 and smooth surfaced outfeed roller24 are rotatably mounted in columns 14 and 16 about axes parallel toeach other and to the horizontal planar work supporting surface 96.

Roller 22 has reduced end shaft portions 103 and 104 journalled inrespective bearing support blocks 105 that are mounted in columns 14 and16 for limited vertical movement and spring biased by springs 105atoward their lower limit positions, preferably in the manner illustratedin US. Pat. No. 2,873,776. As illustrated in FIG. 7 shaft portion 104extends through block 105 beyond the side of column 14.

Similarly outfeed roller 24 has reduced end shaft portions 106 and 107journalled in identical bearing support blocks 105, with shaft portion107 projecting beyond the side of column 14.

During operation of the machine, rollers 22 and 24 will resilientlyengage the upper surface of the workpiece due to the resilient mountingof bearing blocks 105.

Cutter head 20 also has reduced end portions 108 and 109 journalled inbearing housings 110 which are mounted in columns 14 and 16, and shaftportion 109 extends through its bearing housing 110 beyond the side faceof column 14. As shown in FIG. 6, cutter head 20 will rotate in adirection opposite to that of rollers 22 and 24.

A front depth of cut limit bar 98 (See also FIG. 5) extends between andis eccentrically rotatably mounted in columns 14 and 16 by its eccentricreduced ends 100 at the infeed end of the machine in front of infeedroller 22. Limit bar 98 is fixed against rotation during operation ofthe machine by clamp screws 102 which thread into bar ends 100 andtightly engage the side faces of column 14 and 16. Limit bar 98functions to structurally stabilize the from upper ends of columns 14and 16 and also acts as a limit gauge limiting the depth of cut whichmay be taken by cutters 21 from the top of the workpiece passingunderneath. It is to be noted that simply by rotating limit bar 98, thedistance between the horizontal cutting plane of cutters 21 and aparallel line tangent to the bottom surface of limit bar 98 may bevaried, thereby varying the depth of cut which may be taken by theplaner.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the illustrated position of limit bar 98permits a maximum depth of cut of a given amount with the height oftable 26 properly adjusted for a workpiece having a given thickness.However, rotation of bar 98 through about will approximately double themaximum depth of out which may be taken from the workpiece. For example,in an actual machine the maximum depth of cut may be varied fromone-quarter inch to one-half inch merely by adjusting bar 98.

A rear tie bar 1 1 1 extends transversely between posts 14 and 16 at theoutfeed end of the planer and serves to structurally stabilize the upperrear ends of columns 14 and 16. Bar 111 is high enough above table 26 sothat it is cleared by the finished workpiece being discharged from themachine.

The pivotable chip breaker and cutter guard assembly 18 includes a heavyarcuate walled casting section 112 partially encircling the cutter inradial outwardly spaced relation and which has at its rear end a pair ofdownwardly depending side lugs 113 pivoted by pins 114 to the insidefaces of columns 14 and 16, and has a tapered terminal end 115positioned immediately adjacent the cutting circle of cutters 21 tointercept and break the wood chips at the moment of cut so the cuttersmay carry the chips upwardly and project them rearwardly to the outfeedend of the machine away from the operators position at the infeed endthereof. The tapered end 115 is designed so that it will clear intieedroller 22 when casting 112 is pivoted about pin A relatively thin sheetmetal cover plate 116 is connected to the rear end of casting 112 andextends forwardly and downwardly over infeed roller 22 and tie bar 98 tothe infeed end of the machine. Cover 116 is supported by a pair ofcircular extension rods 118 (only one shown in FIG. 6) threaded into apair of lugs 120 integral with casting 112 at the lateral edges thereof,with the forward ends of rods 118 being fastened to cover 116 by screws121. Rods 118 rest on shaft portions 103 and 104 of infeed roller 22 at123a and thereby automatically position and support tapered end 115relative to the cutting circle of cutters 21 and the lower edge 122 ofcover 116 at a proper height above table surface 96 so as not tointerfere with the gauging function of limit bar 98.

A pressure bar 123 is also resiliently mounted between columns 14 and 16in conventional manner and has a skirt portion 124 which depends betweencutter head 21) and outfeed roller 24 and terminates in a workpieceengaging edge 125 that extends parallel to the axis of rotation ofcutter head 20.

It is apparent that when an operator must gain access to the feedrollers, cutter head, or other components for adjustment or repairpurposes, he need only pivot the entire cutter guard and chip breakerassembly 18 upwardly and rearwardly about pivot pins 114 and therebyimmediately expose the necessary parts.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1, 8 and 9, the drive system forcutter head 20 and infeed and outfeed rollers 22 and 24 includes a motor29 mounted within cabinet 10, the motor having an axially extendingshaft 126 on which a first inner pulley 127 of fixed diameter is mountedadjacent the motor housing and a second outer pulley section 128 isformed directly on the outer end of shaft 126.

Cutter head 20 is driven directly from pulley 127 by a belt driveconnection 129 which extends from pulley 127 to a pulley 130 of smallerdiameter fixed on the projecting end of shaft portion 109 of cutter head20.

lnfeed and outfeed rollers 22 and 24 may be driven at a selected speedby an intermediate drive assembly 38 which includes a conventionalspring biased variable diameter pulley 132 driven by a belt connection134 from pulley section 128 which is on the outer end of motor shaft126. Pulley 132 is fixed on the outer end of a shaft 136 rotatablymounted through the outer wall of housing 137 of a gear reduction unit138 which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 140 extending through the wallof housing 137 and fixed at 141 to column 14. Gear reduction unit 138includes a pinion gear 142 mounted on the inner end of shaft 136 anddriving a spur gear 144 fixed on the inner end of a sleeve shaft 146rotatably mounted on shaft 140 and extending outwardly through the outerwall of housing 137. A drive sprocket 148 is fixed on the outer end ofsleeve 146 and is drive connected by a chain 150 to a sprocket 152 fixedon the outermost end of projecting shaft portion 107 of outfeed roller24. A second sprocket 154 is mounted on shaft portion 107 inwardly ofsprocket 152 and is drive connected by chain 156 to a sprocket 158 fixedon the projecting shaft portion 104 of infeed roller 22. Sprockets 152,154 and 158 are of the same diameter and thereby drive rollers 22 and 24at the same speed.

The entire reduction unit 138 is pivoted about fixed axis 140 by handle162 connected to an integral extension 163 of housing 137 to vary theeffective diameter of variable diameter pulley 132, with the unit 138being retained in a desired position by bolt assembly 164 which threadsinto column 14 and rides in an arcuate slot 166 formed in extension 163,the slot being arranged along a circular path having fixed shaft 140 asits axis of rotation.

The drive system for the planing machine of the invention isadvantageous in that the cutter head 20 is driven at a constant highspeed by motor 29 and feed rollers 22 and 24 may be driven at a selectedone of various speeds from the same motor 29 through the intermediatedrive assembly 38. Depending upon the type of work being planed and thedepth of cut to be taken from the workpiece, gear reduction unit 138 maybe pivotally adjusted to vary the effective diameter of variablediameter pulley 132 and thereby provide an optimum feed rate for theworkpiece through the machine.

In operation, table 26 will be adjusted by rotating crank 66 to adesired height and eccentric limit 98 is adjusted to a position to fixthe maximum depth of the cut which is to be taken.

The feed rate for the workpiece is also adjusted by pivoting driveassembly 38 to a selected position. Each of these adjustments, ofcourse, are somewhat related to each other and will vary depending uponthe type of work being planed and the depth of cut being taken.

Referring to FIG. 6, a workpiece will be placed on the smooth tablesurface 96 and manually fed into the machine until its leading edgepasses under limit bar 98 and is engaged by the clockwise rotatingserrated infeed roller 22. It is then automatically fed through thecutting region of counterclockwise rotating cutter head 26 which planesits upper surface, past the engaging pressure bar edge 125, after whichits planed surface is engaged by the smooth clockwise rotating outfeedroller 24 which feeds it to the outfeed end of the machine. As cutterhead 20 planes the workpiece, the chips are broken by the tapered edge115 and carried upwardly and rearwardly along the inner adjacent curvedsurface of arcuate casting section 112 and deposited at the outfeed endof the machine.

It is to be noted particularly that the workpiece rests on the smooth,low friction planar table surface 96 at all times as it passes throughthe machine. This is in contrast to prior machines in which the normallyemployed bed rollers projected slightly above the table and caused asnipe or taper to be placed on the planed surface of the workpiece. Byproviding the tough low friction surface 96 on table 26, the inventionvery effectively eliminates the need for the bed rollers and problemsassociated therewith.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrativeand not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a planing machine having infeed and outfeed ends, a pair ofvertical support columns fixed in lateral spaced relationship, aworkpiece supporting table extending transversely between said columns,rotatable cutter means extending between said columns above said table,a workpiece infeed roller extending transversely between said columnsand end supported therein above said table in position to engage aworkpiece to feed it over said table into cutting relationship with saidcutter means, a cutter guard and chip breaker assembly pivotallyconnected to said columns at the outfeed end thereof and having aterminal end positioned immediately adjacent the cutting circle of saidcutter means, said assembly in a normal operative position interceptingand breaking chips from said cutter means closely adjacent the point ofcut and directing them rearwardly toward said outfeed end and in araised inoperative position exposing said cutter means and said feedroller for ready access thereto by an operator.

2. In a planing machine as defined in claim 1, said table having acoating thereon which provides a smooth anti-friction workpiece engagingsurface over which the workpiece may readily slide.

3. In a planing machine as defined in claim 1, said cutter guard andchip breaker assembly comprising an arcuate section extending forwardlyfrom its pivot connection and downwardly in front of said rotatablecutter means to a tapered terminal end positioned adjacent the cuttingcircle of said rotatable cutter means when said assembly is in saidoperative position, whereby chips from said cutter means are broken bysaid terminal end and carried upwardly by said rotatable cutter meansand projected rearwardly along said arcuate section to the outfeed endof said machine.

4. In a planing machine as defined in claim 3, support rod meansprojecting from said cutter guard and chip breaker assembly tooperatively rest on said infeed roller to fix the operative position ofsaid cutter guard and chip breaker assembly and its terminal endrelative to said cutter means.

5. In a planing machine as defined in claim 3, a depth of cut limit barextending transversely between said columns at said infeed end to definean entrance throat gauging the thickness ofa workpiece that may be fedto the cutter means at any table setting.

6. In a planing machine as defined in claim 5, wherein said limit barhas opposite ends in the form of stub shafts journalled in said columnsand an eccentric midportion and means is provided at least on one stubshaft to fix said limit bar in a selected angular position whereby themaximum depth of cut may be varied between a predetermined minimum andmaximum.

7. In a planing machine, a pair of vertical support columns fixed inlateral spaced relationship, a workpiece supporting table extendingtransversely between said columns, rotatable cutter means extendingbetween said columns above said table, workpiece feed roller meansextending transversely between said columns and rotatably supportedtherein for feeding a workpiece over said table into cuttingrelationship with said cutter means, a motor having a shaft, cutterdrive means drive connecting said motor shaft to said cutter means,variable speed drive means drive connecting said motor shaft to saidfeed roller means independently of said cutter drive means, saidvariable speed drive means including a speed reducing drive mechanismpivotally mounted on one of said columns and having input shaft meansand output shaft means, means drive connecting said input shaft means tosaid motor shaft and including a variable diameter pulley, and meansdrive connecting said output shaft means to said feed roller means,whereby the rotational speed of said feed roller means'may 'be varied bypivotally adjusting said drive mechanism to a selective position to varythe effective diameter of said variable diameter pulley.

8. In a planing machine as defined in claim 7, said table having acoating thereon which provides a smooth anti-friction workpiece engagingsurface over which the workpiece may readily slide.

9. In a planing machine as defined in claim 7, said speed reducing drivemechanism including a housing, said input shaft means rotatablyjournalled through a wall of said housing, said pulley being fixedagainst rotation on the outer end of said input shaft means, said outputshaft means including a fixed shaft extending through said housing andfixed at one end to said one of said columns, said fixed shaft providingthe pivot axis of said drive mechanism, a sleeve rotatably mounted onsaid fixed shaft and extending through said one housing wall, meanswithin said housing drive connecting said input shaft means and saidsleeve, and means drive connecting said sleeve and said feed rollermeans.

10. In a planing machine as defined in claim 9, wherein said drivemechanism includes reduction gear means within said housing for driveconnecting said input shaft means and said sleeve.

lll. In a planing machine as defined in claim 9, a frame on which saidsupport columns are mounted, an enclosure within which said motor islocated, said enclosure having at least one cover panel removablyconnected to said frame, said panel having end flanges for abuttingagainst said frame and each flange having at least one slot including afirst portion of a given size and a second portion of a smaller size, apair of bolt assemblies connected to said frame, each bolt assemblyincluding a bolt fixed to said frame, a retaining member slidablymounted on the shank of said bolt, said retaining member being smallerin size than said first slot portion and larger than said second slotportion, biasing means positioned between the head of said bolt andretaining member to bias the latter toward said frame, whereby saidpanel is fixed on said frame when said bolt shanks are received in saidsecond slot portions and said end flanges are positioned between saidretaining members and said frame, said panel being removable from saidframe by aligning said first slot portions with said retaining membersand thereafter withdrawing said panel over said retaining members andthe heads of said bolts.

12. In a planing machine as defined in claim 11, comprising a side coverpanel having slotted end flanges identical to said motor cover panel andretainedon said one column by others of said bolt assemblies and, whenremoved, providing ready access to various machine components such assaid variable speed drive assembly housed therein.

13. In a planing machine having infeed and outfeed ends, a pair ofvertical support columns fixed in laterally spaced relationship, aworkpiece supporting table extending transversely between said columns,rotatable cutter means extending between said columns above said table,workpiece feed roller means extending transversely between said columnsand end supported therein and adapted to engage a workpiece to feed itover said table into cutting relationship with said cutter means, adepth-of-cut limit bar extending transversely between said columns abovesaid table at said infeed end, said limit bar having eccentric endsections rotatably mounted in said columns whereby the effective heightof said limit bar above said table may be varied to select adepth-of-cut limit, a motor having a shaft, cutter drive means driveconnecting said motor shaft to said cutter means, variable speed drivemeans drive connecting said motor shaft to said feed roller meansindependently of said cutter drive means, whereby the effective heightof said eccentrically mounted limit bar above said table and the speedat which said feed roller means is driven may be selectively correlatedto assure optimum utilization of said variable speed drive means and thepower of said motor.

14. In a planing machine as defined in claim 13, said table having anuninterrupted workpiece support face provided with a smooth,antifriction, abrasion resistant coating permitting said workpiece toreadily slide thereover.

15. In a planing machine as defined in claim 14, a fixed horizontalbase, means for adjusting said table vertically above said base betweensaid columns, said adjusting means including a horizontal crank shaftrotatably connected to said table for vertical movement therewith,vertical feed screw means drive connected to said crank shaft andpassing through said base, an adjusting nut supported on said base andthreadedly engaging said feed screw means, adjustable clamp means fornormally clamping said nut to said base, said nut including fineadjustment means by which it may be rotated when said clamp means isloosened to permit fine adjustment of said table with respect to saidvertical feed screw means, whereby, when said nut is clamped to saidbase, said table may be raised or lowered simply by rotation of saidcrank shaft to cause said feed screw means to thread up or down throughsaid adjusting nut.

16. In a planing machine as defined in claim 15, said fine adjustmentmeans being a hole on the side of said nut by which an operator, using aproper tool, can turn said nut on said screw means.

17. In a planing machine as defined in claim 13, said variable speeddrive means comprising a variable diameter pulley drive connected tosaid motor shaft, a drive mechanism pivotally mounted on one of saidcolumns, said drive mechanism including a housing, a first shaftrotatably journalled through a wall of said housing, said pulley beingfixed against rotation on the outer end of said first shaft, a secondfixed shaft extending through said housing and fixed at one end to saidone of said columns, said second shaft providing the pivot axis of saiddrive mechanism, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said second shaft andextending through said one housing wall, means within said housing driveconnecting said sleeve and said feed roller means, whereby therotational speed of the said feed roller means may be varied bypivotally adjusting said drive mechanism to a selected position, therebyvarying the effective diameter of said variable diameter pulley.

18. In a planing machine as defined in claim 17, a frame on which saidsupport columns are mounted, an enclosure within which said motor islocated, said enclosure having at least one cover panel removablyconnected to said frame, said panel having end flanges abutting againstsaid frame, each flange having at least one slot including a firstportion of a given size and a second portion of a smaller size, a pairof bolt assemblies connected to said frame, for cooperation with saidslots, each bolt assembly including a bolt fixed to said frame, aretaining member slidably mounted on the shank of said bolt, saidretaining member being smaller in size than said first slot portion andlarger than said second slot portion, biasing means positioned betweenthe head of said bolt and retaining member to bias the latter towardsaid frame, whereby said panel is fixed on said frame when said boltshanks are received in said second slot portion and said end flanges arepositioned between said retaining members and said frame, said panelbeing removable from said frame by aligning said first slot portionswith said retaining members and thereafter withdrawing said panel oversaid retaining members and the heads of said bolts.

19. In a planing machine as defined in claim 18, a side cover panelhaving slotted end flanges identical to said motor cover panel andretained on said one of said columns by others of said bolt assemblies,said side panel when removed providing ready access to various machinecomponents such as said variable speed drive assembly housed therein.

20. In a planing machine as defined in claim 19, a cutter guard and chipbreaker assembly comprising an arcuate section having one end pivotallyconnected to said columns at the outfeed end of said machine and atapered terminal end positioned adjacent the cutting circle of saidcutter means when said assembly is in operative position, a coverportion connected to said arcuate section and extending forwardlytherefrom over said feed roller means and said depth of cut limit bar, asupport rod projecting from said arcuate section and operatively restingon said feed roller means to fix the operative position of said arcuatesection and its terminal end relative to said cutter means, wherebyduring operation of the machine chips received from said cutter meansare broken by said terminal end and directed upwardly and rearwardlyalong said arcuate section to the outfeed end of the machine by saidcutter means.

21. In a planing machine as defined in claim 20, a pair of support rodseach connected at one end to said arcuate section and having its otherend connected to said cover portion, said rods resting on said feedroller means thereby supporting said arcuate section and cover portionwhen said assembly is in said operative position.

22. In a planing machine, a fixed horizontal base, a pair of verticalsupport columns extending upwardly from said base in laterally spacedrelationship, a horizontal workpiece supporting table vertically movableabove said base between said columns, rotatable cutter means extendingbetween said columns above said table, means for adjusting said tableabove said base comprising a horizontal crankshaft, spaced support meansfixed to the underside of said table, said crank-shaft being rotatablymounted in said support means for vertical movement with said table, ahorizontal member fixed to the under-side of said table, vertical feedscrew means including a pair of laterally spaced vertical screwsrotatably mounted in said horizontal member and vertically stationarywith respect to said table, the upper ends of said feed screws beingdrive connected to said crankshaft and the lower ends thereof passingthrough said base, a pair of adjusting nuts supported on said base andeach nut respectively threadedly engaging one of said spaced feedscrews, adjustable clamp means for normally clamping said nuts to saidbase, said nuts including fine adjustment means by which each may berotated when said clamp means is loosened to permit fine adjustmentalong its feed screw and levelling of said table, said nuts when clampedto said base permitting said levelled table to be raised or loweredmerely by rotation of said crankshaft to thread said feed screws up ordown through said adjusting nuts.

23. In a planing machine as defined in claim 22, said fine adjustmentmeans being a hole in the side of said nut by which an operator using aproper tool may turn said nut on said feed screw means.

24. In a planing machine having infeed and outfeed ends, a pair ofvertical support columns fixed in laterally spaced relationship, aworkpiece supporting table extending transversely between said columns,rotatable cutter means extending between said columns above said table,workpiece feed roller means supported between said columns above saidtable for feeding a workpiece over said table into cutting relationshipwith said cutter means, a depth-of-cut limit bar extending transverselybetween said columns above said table at said infeed end, said limit barhaving eccentric end sections adjustably rotatably mounted in saidcolumns whereby the effective height of said limit bar above said tablemay be varied to vary the maximum depth of cut which may be taken bysaid cutter means.

25. In a planing machine as defined in claim 22, said table having acoating thereon which provides a smooth anti-friction workpiece engagingsurface over which the workpiece may readily slide.

1. In a planing machine having infeed and outfeed ends, a pair ofvertical support columns fixed in lateral spaced relationship, aworkpiece supporting table extending transversely between said columns,rotatable cutter means extending between said columns above said table,a workpiece infeed roller extending transversely between said columnsand end supported therein above said table in position to engage aworkpiece to feed it over said table into cutting relationship with saidcutter means, a cutter guard and chip breaker assembly pivotallyconnected to said columns at the outfeed end thereof and having aterminal end positioned immediately adjacent the cutting circle of saidcutter means, said assembly in a normal operative position interceptingand breaking chips from said cutter means closely adjacent the point ofcut and directing them rearwardly toward said outfeed end and in araised inoperative position exposing said cutter means and said feedroller for ready access thereto by an operator.
 2. In a planing machineas defined in claim 1, said table having a coating thereon whichprovides a smooth anti-friction workpiece engaging surface over whichthe workpiece may readily slide.
 3. In a planing machine as defined inclaim 1, said cutter guard and chip breaker assembly comprising anarcuate section extending forwardly from its pivot connection anddownwardly in front of said rotatable cutter means to a tapered terminalend positioned adjacent the cutting circle of said rotatable cuttermeans when said assembly is in said operative position, whereby chipsfrom said cutter means are broken by said terminal end and carriedupwardly by said rotatable cutter means and projected rearwardly alongsaid arcuate section to the outfeed end of said machine.
 4. In a planingmachine as defined in claim 3, support rod means projecting from saidcutter guard and chip breaker assembly to operatively rest on saidinfeed roller to fix the operative position of said cutter guard andchip breaker assembly and its terminal end relative to said cuttermeans.
 5. In a planing machine as defined in claim 3, a depth of cutlimit bar extending transversely between said columns at said infeed endto define an entrance throat gauging the thickness of a workpiece thatmay be fed to the cutter means at any table setting.
 6. In a planingmachine as defined in claim 5, wherein said limit bar has opposite endsin the form of stub shafts journalled in said columns and an eccentricmidportion and means is provided at least on one stub shaft to fix saidlimit bar in a selected angular position whereby the maximum depth ofcut may be varied between a predetermined minimum and maximum.
 7. In aplaning machine, a pair of vertical support columns fixed in lateralspaced relationship, a workpiece supporting table extending transverselybetween said columns, rotatable cutter means extending between saidcolumns above said table, workpiece feed roller means extendingtransversely between said columns and rotatably supported therein forfeeding a workpiece over said table into cutting relationship with saidcutter means, a motor having a shaft, cutter drive means driveconnecting said motor shaft to said cutter means, variable speed drivemeans drive connecting said motor shaft to said feed roller mEansindependently of said cutter drive means, said variable speed drivemeans including a speed reducing drive mechanism pivotally mounted onone of said columns and having input shaft means and output shaft means,means drive connecting said input shaft means to said motor shaft andincluding a variable diameter pulley, and means drive connecting saidoutput shaft means to said feed roller means, whereby the rotationalspeed of said feed roller means may be varied by pivotally adjustingsaid drive mechanism to a selective position to vary the effectivediameter of said variable diameter pulley.
 8. In a planing machine asdefined in claim 7, said table having a coating thereon which provides asmooth anti-friction workpiece engaging surface over which the workpiecemay readily slide.
 9. In a planing machine as defined in claim 7, saidspeed reducing drive mechanism including a housing, said input shaftmeans rotatably journalled through a wall of said housing, said pulleybeing fixed against rotation on the outer end of said input shaft means,said output shaft means including a fixed shaft extending through saidhousing and fixed at one end to said one of said columns, said fixedshaft providing the pivot axis of said drive mechanism, a sleeverotatably mounted on said fixed shaft and extending through said onehousing wall, means within said housing drive connecting said inputshaft means and said sleeve, and means drive connecting said sleeve andsaid feed roller means.
 10. In a planing machine as defined in claim 9,wherein said drive mechanism includes reduction gear means within saidhousing for drive connecting said input shaft means and said sleeve. 11.In a planing machine as defined in claim 9, a frame on which saidsupport columns are mounted, an enclosure within which said motor islocated, said enclosure having at least one cover panel removablyconnected to said frame, said panel having end flanges for abuttingagainst said frame and each flange having at least one slot including afirst portion of a given size and a second portion of a smaller size, apair of bolt assemblies connected to said frame, each bolt assemblyincluding a bolt fixed to said frame, a retaining member slidablymounted on the shank of said bolt, said retaining member being smallerin size than said first slot portion and larger than said second slotportion, biasing means positioned between the head of said bolt andretaining member to bias the latter toward said frame, whereby saidpanel is fixed on said frame when said bolt shanks are received in saidsecond slot portions and said end flanges are positioned between saidretaining members and said frame, said panel being removable from saidframe by aligning said first slot portions with said retaining membersand thereafter withdrawing said panel over said retaining members andthe heads of said bolts.
 12. In a planing machine as defined in claim11, comprising a side cover panel having slotted end flanges identicalto said motor cover panel and retained on said one column by others ofsaid bolt assemblies and, when removed, providing ready access tovarious machine components such as said variable speed drive assemblyhoused therein.
 13. In a planing machine having infeed and outfeed ends,a pair of vertical support columns fixed in laterally spacedrelationship, a workpiece supporting table extending transverselybetween said columns, rotatable cutter means extending between saidcolumns above said table, workpiece feed roller means extendingtransversely between said columns and end supported therein and adaptedto engage a workpiece to feed it over said table into cuttingrelationship with said cutter means, a depth-of-cut limit bar extendingtransversely between said columns above said table at said infeed end,said limit bar having eccentric end sections rotatably mounted in saidcolumns whereby the effective height of said limit bar above said tablemay be varied to select a depth-of-cut limit, a motor having a shaft,cutter drive means drive connecting said motor shaft to said cuttermeans, variable speed drive means drive connecting said motor shaft tosaid feed roller means independently of said cutter drive means, wherebythe effective height of said eccentrically mounted limit bar above saidtable and the speed at which said feed roller means is driven may beselectively correlated to assure optimum utilization of said variablespeed drive means and the power of said motor.
 14. In a planing machineas defined in claim 13, said table having an uninterrupted workpiecesupport face provided with a smooth, antifriction, abrasion resistantcoating permitting said workpiece to readily slide thereover.
 15. In aplaning machine as defined in claim 14, a fixed horizontal base, meansfor adjusting said table vertically above said base between saidcolumns, said adjusting means including a horizontal crank shaftrotatably connected to said table for vertical movement therewith,vertical feed screw means drive connected to said crank shaft andpassing through said base, an adjusting nut supported on said base andthreadedly engaging said feed screw means, adjustable clamp means fornormally clamping said nut to said base, said nut including fineadjustment means by which it may be rotated when said clamp means isloosened to permit fine adjustment of said table with respect to saidvertical feed screw means, whereby, when said nut is clamped to saidbase, said table may be raised or lowered simply by rotation of saidcrank shaft to cause said feed screw means to thread up or down throughsaid adjusting nut.
 16. In a planing machine as defined in claim 15,said fine adjustment means being a hole on the side of said nut by whichan operator, using a proper tool, can turn said nut on said screw means.17. In a planing machine as defined in claim 13, said variable speeddrive means comprising a variable diameter pulley drive connected tosaid motor shaft, a drive mechanism pivotally mounted on one of saidcolumns, said drive mechanism including a housing, a first shaftrotatably journalled through a wall of said housing, said pulley beingfixed against rotation on the outer end of said first shaft, a secondfixed shaft extending through said housing and fixed at one end to saidone of said columns, said second shaft providing the pivot axis of saiddrive mechanism, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said second shaft andextending through said one housing wall, means within said housing driveconnecting said sleeve and said feed roller means, whereby therotational speed of the said feed roller means may be varied bypivotally adjusting said drive mechanism to a selected position, therebyvarying the effective diameter of said variable diameter pulley.
 18. Ina planing machine as defined in claim 17, a frame on which said supportcolumns are mounted, an enclosure within which said motor is located,said enclosure having at least one cover panel removably connected tosaid frame, said panel having end flanges abutting against said frame,each flange having at least one slot including a first portion of agiven size and a second portion of a smaller size, a pair of boltassemblies connected to said frame, for cooperation with said slots,each bolt assembly including a bolt fixed to said frame, a retainingmember slidably mounted on the shank of said bolt, said retaining memberbeing smaller in size than said first slot portion and larger than saidsecond slot portion, biasing means positioned between the head of saidbolt and retaining member to bias the latter toward said frame, wherebysaid panel is fixed on said frame when said bolt shanks are received insaid second slot portion and said end flanges are positioned betweensaid retaining members and said frame, said panel being removable fromsaid frame by aligning said first slot portions with said retainingmembers and thereafter withdrawing said panel over said retainingmembers and the heads of said bolts.
 19. In a planing machine as defInedin claim 18, a side cover panel having slotted end flanges identical tosaid motor cover panel and retained on said one of said columns byothers of said bolt assemblies, said side panel when removed providingready access to various machine components such as said variable speeddrive assembly housed therein.
 20. In a planing machine as defined inclaim 19, a cutter guard and chip breaker assembly comprising an arcuatesection having one end pivotally connected to said columns at theoutfeed end of said machine and a tapered terminal end positionedadjacent the cutting circle of said cutter means when said assembly isin operative position, a cover portion connected to said arcuate sectionand extending forwardly therefrom over said feed roller means and saiddepth of cut limit bar, a support rod projecting from said arcuatesection and operatively resting on said feed roller means to fix theoperative position of said arcuate section and its terminal end relativeto said cutter means, whereby during operation of the machine chipsreceived from said cutter means are broken by said terminal end anddirected upwardly and rearwardly along said arcuate section to theoutfeed end of the machine by said cutter means.
 21. In a planingmachine as defined in claim 20, a pair of support rods each connected atone end to said arcuate section and having its other end connected tosaid cover portion, said rods resting on said feed roller means therebysupporting said arcuate section and cover portion when said assembly isin said operative position.
 22. In a planing machine, a fixed horizontalbase, a pair of vertical support columns extending upwardly from saidbase in laterally spaced relationship, a horizontal workpiece supportingtable vertically movable above said base between said columns, rotatablecutter means extending between said columns above said table, means foradjusting said table above said base comprising a horizontal crankshaft,spaced support means fixed to the underside of said table, saidcrank-shaft being rotatably mounted in said support means for verticalmovement with said table, a horizontal member fixed to the under-side ofsaid table, vertical feed screw means including a pair of laterallyspaced vertical screws rotatably mounted in said horizontal member andvertically stationary with respect to said table, the upper ends of saidfeed screws being drive connected to said crankshaft and the lower endsthereof passing through said base, a pair of adjusting nuts supported onsaid base and each nut respectively threadedly engaging one of saidspaced feed screws, adjustable clamp means for normally clamping saidnuts to said base, said nuts including fine adjustment means by whicheach may be rotated when said clamp means is loosened to permit fineadjustment along its feed screw and levelling of said table, said nutswhen clamped to said base permitting said levelled table to be raised orlowered merely by rotation of said crankshaft to thread said feed screwsup or down through said adjusting nuts.
 23. In a planing machine asdefined in claim 22, said fine adjustment means being a hole in the sideof said nut by which an operator using a proper tool may turn said nuton said feed screw means.
 24. In a planing machine having infeed andoutfeed ends, a pair of vertical support columns fixed in laterallyspaced relationship, a workpiece supporting table extending transverselybetween said columns, rotatable cutter means extending between saidcolumns above said table, workpiece feed roller means supported betweensaid columns above said table for feeding a workpiece over said tableinto cutting relationship with said cutter means, a depth-of-cut limitbar extending transversely between said columns above said table at saidinfeed end, said limit bar having eccentric end sections adjustablyrotatably mounted in said columns whereby the effective height of saidlimit bar above said table may be varied to vary the maximum depth ofcut which may be taken by said cutter means.
 25. In a planing machine asdefined in claim 22, said table having a coating thereon which providesa smooth anti-friction workpiece engaging surface over which theworkpiece may readily slide.